Duwe Metal Products has built prominent structural steel components for well-known Milwaukee landmarks, including the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, the BMO Harris Bradley Center and the bridge leading to the Milwaukee Art Museum.
The Menomonee Falls company specializes in architectural and construction steel fabrication and erection.
It also completes decorative steel projects, like ornamental steel railings and a sculpture in the center of an Oconomowoc roundabout. The company loves a challenge and the opportunity to mix art with manufacturing, said chief executive officer Jeannie Lauret.
Lauret took ownership of the company two years ago from her father, Richard Riedelbach. Since becoming CEO of the 58-year-old company, Lauret has worked to achieve Woman-Owned Business and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certifications.
“We wanted to break into working for the (Department of Transportation) and you need your DBE to do that,” she said.
Duwe is now working with the DOT and it has opened a whole new market of business opportunities, Lauret said.
Duwe has a unionized workforce and competing with the prices offered by its non-unionized competitors is a challenge, Lauret said. The company saw a drop in orders about two years ago, but things have recovered, she said.
“Three years ago it started to fall down and then it really fell,” Lauret said. “We are getting stronger – it all has to do with the economy.”
Duwe’s annual revenue was $6.1 million last year, but the company has the capacity for $15 million. Lauret expects revenue will be more than $7 million in 2012.
“Owners just aren’t willing to spend the money right now and that trickles down to what we can perform,” she said.
Duwe fabricates products from both ferrous and non-ferrous metals at its 80,000-square-foot facility. It has 44 employees who are split between fabricating the products and installing them in the field.
The company’s estimators bid on construction projects, then its draftsmen work with architects and contractors to complete shop and field drawings.
The shop is divided into a steel bay and a specialty work bay. Specialty work requires more skill and creativity, Lauret said.
Duwe employees fabricate, grind, deburr, polish and prime a range of products like railings, catwalks, beams and pole boxes for electric companies. The company subcontracts work to paint the finished product and add other materials, like installing a granite countertop on Duwe’s metal base.
It often takes on truss projects for large roofs, making the biggest pieces it’s possible to ship. Duwe also rebuilds and repairs existing steel products.
Duwe mainly works on commercial projects, but occasionally does work for very unique residential homes.
“The key is we’re custom – we’re not a commodity shop,” Lauret said. “We take pride in taking care of our customers. What we send out of the shop is quality.”
